An Osteoporosis and Fracture Intervention Program Increases the Diagnosis and Treatment for Osteoporosis for Patients with Minimal Trauma Fractures

Background: As fewer than 25% of patients with an osteoporotic minimal trauma fracture (MTF) are evaluated and treated for osteoporosis, an osteoporosis and fracture intervention program (OFIP) was developed. Methods: Patients hospitalized with MTF were educated about and treated for osteoporosis and were evaluated by the osteoporosis team at 6 and 12 months after discharge. Patients seen in the emergency department were given information about osteoporosis and encouraged to seek medical care at the osteoporosis office. Results: While 165 patients hospitalized with an MTF participated in the OFIP, 38 patients received routine osteoporosis education. At the 6-month follow-up, in the OFIP group, 68% of patients with hip fracture and 54% of patients with non-hip fracture were taking antire-sorptive medications. There was no change in treatment rate among patients receiving conventional care. Conclusions: The rates of diagnosis of osteoporosis and treatment implementation following an MTF increased when the intervention occurred at the time of hospitalization.